Brady expects big effort from banged-up Roethlisberger

FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Tom Brady had no reason to believe Ben Roethlisberger’s injury last week would keep him out of today’s game against the New England Patriots. And it won’t.

The Pittsburgh quarterback injured his ribs in the loss at Oakland, left the game but returned in the fourth quarter and threw his second touchdown pass of the game. He drove his team to a tying field goal try that failed when kicker Chris Boswell slipped — and the Steelers lost their third straight.

“He’s as tough as they come,” Brady said Friday ahead of their matchup at Heinz Field. “I remem- ber there was one game he didn’t start because of his foot and then the guy got hurt. Ben came in, as a backup, and he threw for 300 or something like that. Some ridiculous stat.

“He’s just tough, been a great quarterback in the league for a long time, knows the game. He’s just a great competitor, and he’s always got those guys going.” ence. He’s not really a run-

Asked what he’s observed ner, but he extends a lot from watching Roethlis- plays and makes huge plays berger through the years, for their team. It’s hard to Brady said, “He’s got such stop. Any time you play a a unique style. He’s just guy like that, it’s up to us to an incredible player. Proreally execute our offense lific passer, great accurate and score as many points passer, they just had incredas we can.” ible passing offenses. Brady has had the upper

“His style is very differ- hand in his career against ent. He’s just big, stands in the Steelers, going 8-2 in the pocket, has great pres- the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs. But the two losses have both come at Heinz, where Pittsburgh is always tough. The Patriots, with a 3-4 road record, are coming off the shocking last-second loss at Miami.

Brady is 6-2 at Heinz but has won his past two times there, with scores of 27-16 and 27-24. He’s won his past five against the Steelers, counting postseason.